Murphy has faith in home town halves

SUNSHINE Coast captain Tom Murphy is backing an inexperienced home town halves combination to fire against Norths in a crucial Intrust Super Cup encounter at Nundah today.

The 11th-placed Falcons sense an opportunity to revive its finals aspirations against the 13th-placed Devils and will pin much of its hopes on David Oakes and Brett Doherty, in just their third game as a pairing.

The Falcons have utilised the services of Melbourne Storm-contracted playmakers Ben Hampton and/or Jake Turpin for much of this season but neither is likely to be available today so the strain will fall upon the Sunshine Coast-based duo.

"I back them 100 percent and I think they will do a great job there," Murphy said. "We've got all the faith in them."

Oakes has laced up for the side in recent weeks, alongside Turpin, while Doherty is set to return to the line-up after sparking a revival at Caloundra in the local rugby league competition.

"I think David's kicking game has been enormous for us over the last couple of weeks," Murphy said.

"For a young kid he's a got a pretty good grasp on the game in terms of getting repeat sets and building pressure when we need it with his short kicking game.

"But he can also drive it down the field and put us in good field position, kicking into corners, which is massive bonus for us.

"Hopefully he can continue that."

As for Doherty, it's hoped he can produce the sort of form which saw him score a brace of tries for the Sharks in the Caloundra RSL Cup last weekend.

"He's got a pretty good running game," Murphy said.

"He's pretty strong for a little halfback so he can break the line and he's really good at squaring up and just getting us around the park."

But a niggling injury may see him replaced by another local, Jacob Harney, who would make his debut.

An exciting ball carrier, Harney has provided plenty of spark for the Outlaws and in 2011 was the Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League's rookie of the year.